The Last Days Before A Western Sunset (July 2012)

Side A
01. The Everchanging Spectrum of a Lie by The Joy Formidable
02. Casualty by Snake River Conspiracy
03. I'm a Monster by Ours
04. We Had it Bad Today by The Softlightes
05. A Song for Europe by Roxy Music

Side B
01. The Alien Song (For Those Who Listen) by Milla
02. Don't Look Back by Luscious Jackson
03. Troublemaker by Beach House
04. Blacked Out and Blue by Cake Like
05. Roses by Skeleton Key

Interview: Mark Meatto

Recently, I spoke with filmmaker Mark Meatto to discuss How to Grow a Band, a documentary on progressive bluegrass quintet, Punch Brothers. Currently, the film is being screened in various theaters across the U.S. with distribution from International Film Circuit and possible fall release for home and retail purchase. Thanks to Mark Meatto for granting this interview on such short notice and thanks to the Gene Siskel Film Center for allowing me to film there. This interview took place on July 14, 2012. Here is also a link to upcoming screening dates and further information on the film.

Playlist: Pitchfork Music Festival Edition

I have not been around much to do this so what better day than now to do this. This weekend, if you can manage through the heat and possible rain, is the Pitchfork Music Festival. This year's lineup features Feist, Sleigh Bells, A$AP Rocky, Japandroids, Wild Flag, Danny Brown, Beach House and plenty more acts over the weekend. Here is a small selection of what you can expect to see over the next three days.

El-P (Bottom Lounge - July 6, 2012)

Building upon two critically acclaimed albums, rapper/producer El-P delivered a set inside Bottom Lounge that truly rivaled the 103-degree weather earlier on Friday. In his second appearance this year (the first being with his mid-late 90's collective, Company Flow in June), El-P treated the audience to a full performance of his recent album, Cancer 4 Cure, along with a few classics and bringing with him three impressive supporting acts.

El-P Brings Critically Acclaimed Sounds To Bottom Lounge Tonight

A little over a decade ago, rapper/producer El-P delivered a solid, apocalyptic one-two punch in the form of his production duties on Cannibal Ox's debut album, The Cold Vein, and his debut solo album, Fantastic Damage. These albums introduced to anyone listening to the world of Definitive Jux, the New York indie hip hop label ran by El-P and home to uniquely talented artists such as Mr. Lif, RJD2, Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, Cage and S.A. Smash to name a small few. Throughout the aughts, Def Jux became the underground face of NYC hip hop just as Black Moon, Mobb Deep and Wu Tang Clan's sounds were plastered throughout the city through their tales of street life and inner city workings in the 90's. For awhile, Def Jux was unstoppable.

Celebrate Your Independence With These July Releases

July is filled with killer new releases from Baroness, Aesop Rock, JEFF the Brotherhood, Frank Ocean Blood Red Shoes, Hellyeah and Toadies. There are also excellent reissues from Sugar and The English Beat coming within the weeks to follow. With such great music coming out this month, you owe it to yourself to treat your ears and loved ones to any of the excellent selections hitting store shelves this month.